Rick's Picks: Week 10

It's Week 10, and that means a number of teams are trying to solidify their position or find a way into the coming PIAA District 1 playoffs.

In the Public League, postseason action will begin with the Class AAAA quarterfinals and the AA semifinals. The Catholic League Class AA semifinals are on tap.

There's also a championship game. KIPP DuBois, a first-year program, will square off against Bishop McDevitt in the District 12 Class A final.

In District 1 Class AAAA, Ridley (7-2, 18th place) vs. Haverford High (6-3, tied for 19th) is a game with huge implications when it comes to determining the 16-team field.

Other games to watch are North Penn (6-3, 11th) vs. Abington (5-4, tied for 16th); Garnet Valley (7-2, 12th) vs. Conestoga (7-2, 13th); Harry S Truman (6-3, tied for 16th) at Norristown; and Downingtown West (6-3, 15th) at Coatesville (9-0, 1st).

Should Truman (with a win over Norristown) and Downingtown West (with a loss to Coatesville) finish tied for 16th place, Truman, at 7-3, would beat out Downingtown West, at 6-4, for the final spot by virtue of a better overall record.

Last week: 9-1. Overall: 67-24 (.736).

Delco Christian (6-2, 5-1 Bicentennial) at Calvary Christian (6-2, 5-1), 3:45. A league crown and the top seed in the District 1-12 subregional playoffs are on the line. Pick: Delco Christian, 28-12.

No. 9 Pennsbury (8-1, 5-1 Suburban One National) at Neshaminy (4-5, 3-3), 7. Pennsbury cruised, 31-3, last year and leads the overall series, 38-37-7. Pick: Pennsbury, 38-13.

No. 19 Garnet Valley (8-1, 4-1 Central) at Conestoga (7-2, 6-2), 7. After taking a two-week leave of absence for medical reasons, Mike Ricci returns to the sideline as the visiting Jaguars' coach. Pick: Conestoga, 26-23.

No. 20 Downingtown West (6-3, 3-2 Ches-Mont National) at No. 5 Coatesville (8-0, 5-0), 7. Can the visiting Whippets rebound from last week's loss to neighboring Downingtown East? Pick: Coatesville, 35-24.

No. 10 West Chester Henderson (7-2, 4-1 Ches-Mont National) at No. 18 Downingtown East (6-3, 3-2), 7. East looks to reverse last year's 24-7 loss to the Warriors. Pick: Downingtown East, 26-19.

Northeast (4-5) at Simon Gratz (8-1), 6. Rushawn Grange and the fourth-seeded Vikings surprise top-seeded Gratz. Pick: Northeast, 20-16.

KIPP DuBois (3-4) vs. Bishop McDevitt (3-6), at George Washington, 1. A tougher schedule pays dividends for the Lancers. Pick: McDevitt, 35-6.

Lansdale Catholic (5-4) vs. Neumann-Goretti (5-4), at Cardinal O'Hara, 3. Hello again. The Saints topped the Crusaders, 20-14, last week. Pick: N-G, 23-20.